Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli soldier who was released in May after 584 days in Hamas captivity, announces that he will be resuming his IDF service next month.
“I was held for 584 days. Those were the hardest days of my life. Days of struggle, pain and separation from my family. But tonight, I’m standing here free,” Alexander says at a Friends of the IDF event in the US last night.
“Next month, God willing, I will return to Israel. I will once again, put on the IDF uniform, and I will proudly serve alongside my brothers,” Alexander adds in a clip of the speech released by FIDF.
“My story does not end with survival. It continues with service,” he says.
Alexander then switches to Hebrew and declares: “Until victory” before passionately knocking his podium with his hand two times.
Former hostage Edan Alexander speaks at a Friends of the IDF event on September 18, 2025. (FIDF)
The former hostage returned to his native New Jersey in June and subsequently met with US President Donald Trump in the White House after Washington helped secure his release.
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, September 19, 2025
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